BRC Events

Since  a hit counter was installed on the Banjo Rehabilitation Center website 23 months ago, over a quarter of a million visits have registered. This milestone underscores that vintage banjo restoration is alive and well in the conciousness of stringed instrument musicians. As pictured, our dedicated and tireless Senior Vice- President of Sales has the ethos of banjo rehabilitation well in hand.

Despite his junior years, but with a sister`s good example,  her brother and our new CFO is all ready picking up the 5-string.

Coincident with the 250K hit  milestone, these siblings celebrate the arrival of a new cousin and soon-to-be ex officio member of the BRC Board of Directors.  The precious newcomer dozes peacefully next to our CEO`s personal  banjo and perhaps dreams of full and permanent membership on the BRC Board when she gets a little older.

The BRC family thanks our faithful readership for sharing these special occasions, and we extend our best wishes to all for a pleasant upcoming autumn season. Grateful for our blessings, Grandpa Doc

P.S. Watch for a newly restored BRC banjo on eBay September 1-8 (sold, and the new owner described it as “…stunningly beautiful” per email). In the meantime, listen to the BRC founder (bass guitar) and his buddies play a favorite tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCwjXocuVlk

Our youthful Board of Directors convened its semi-annual business meeting a few weeks ago to tackle budgetary cut-backs and funding sequesters targeted for our workshop. During a break in the all-day marathon negotiations, one of the board members dreamily sketched a banjo (see drawing) to distract himself from the tough fiscal imperatives on the agenda.

At day`s end, the weary Board voted to postpone exciting but costly plans to develop a Bluegrass Rapid Response Team for hoedown and  jam session emergencies in the Heartland. The BRC founder reacted to this difficult but courageous decision by restoring an antique banjo as inspired by the doodled sketch. This turn-of-the century instrument had been rescued from a trash bin by a fellow musician about 40 years ago and hung on his music room wall as decoration.  The  revitalized banjo was presented to the Board as a stress management tool for use by members at future meetings.

The “BRC” on the upper fretboard stands for “Board`s Restorative Cure”.

Prior to being put into service, the banjo was field-tested by a young aspiring musician.

With income tax season approaching, the Banjo Rehabilitation Center has tabulated yet another deficit year.  To combat this annual short fall, young Clark has joined our ranks as the new Chief Financial Officer.

Pictured holding a vintage banjo-uke under repairs in our shop, the CFO studies the unique sound holes in the rim. These sonic ports were popular design features in the 1930-1950 era when Gretsch made the Clarophone banjo line (see BRC shop photo).

Although the resonator backing on the Clarophone was non removable, the sound holes loudly projected the instrument`s music.

The BRC welcomes young Clark to our financial staff.

Since its inception almost two years ago,  the Banjo Rehabilitation Center has restored 13 banjos as fun and inexpensive starter instruments for entry level musicians.  As pictured, our young CEO personally inspects these rehabilitated banjos before sale. We have been humbled and pleased to receive kind and uniformly positive feedback from  new owners:

“Nicely packed & beautiful banjo. Very happy!”

“BRC rocks!…..GREAT  BARGAIN, Beautiful banjo.”

“A musical work of art!”

My most favorite transaction ever! LOVE my new banjo. A+….. Many thanks!

“Awesome!…. Thanks!!”

From the new owner of the above 5-string, “I feel lucky to get a BRC Banjo. Thanks again.”

The BRC considers each customer`s gracious endorsement to be a Valentine`s Day card, no matter what time of year received. Check-out our current clawhammer BRC banjo on eBay, February 9-16. (sold)

    Welcome BRC readers to 2013! It is now going on 18 years since our Bluegrass ensemble Gainor & Friends began dedicating all donations, gig fees, and tips to the Children`s Hospital. We sold souvenir T-shirts (see stencil designed by the bandleader) at our first performance during the nearby Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival in 1995. Alas, only one faded T-shirt is extant today.

Our featured harmony singer on that autumn afternoon years ago was Tara, as pictured at the microphone, and she still sings with us today. Check-out the BRC Hall of Fame where she is our very first inductee for 2013.

Of note, our 2012 international BRC Hall of Fame member Raul, now a graduate of Berklee School of Music, recently did the sound mixing for a Coke commercial being aired in South America (where it is summertime). Watch this fun video clip and enjoy the youthful Latin energy of the ad. Music and dance transcend all language barriers. Well done, Raul.        ( so sorry, but link no longer available- BRC)